Punching machine



H. P. LUHN PUNCHING MACHINE June 5,- 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Deo. 29, 1945 Nm uw ATTO R N EYy June 5, 1951 Filed Dec. 29, 1945 H. P. LUHN PUNCHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 5, 1951 H. P. LUHN 2,555,750

PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGA.

ATTORNEY June 5, 1951 H. P. LUHN 2,555,750

PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR AMA/5 f? UH/'V ATTORNEY June 5, 1951 H. P. I UHN 2,555,750

PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Deo. 29, 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGB.

ATTORNEY Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUNCHING MACHINE Hans P. Luhn, Armonk, N. Y., assignor to y.International Business Machines Corporation, New York, JN. Y., a corporation of New York Application December`29, 1945, Serial No. 637,857

V'7 Claims. (Cl. 164-113) This invention-relates 'to record card `punching machines and more particularly to punching machines of the step-by-step type.

The :principal object ofthe invention resides in the Aprovision of improved mechanism for advancing a record cardpast a row of punches.

A further object is to provide Aa feed mechanism which will step a record card rapidly and positively from column to column for rapid punching-in successive zcolumns.

Another object is to provide means for positively holding the `card carriage upon the `columnar positioning of the 4card to be punched.

Another object is'to provide a feed'mechanism operable 'to advance `a record column '.by column in either of two opposite directions.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, 'the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the punching machine showing the general arrangement and location of the keyboard.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken substantially along lines 2--2 of Fig. `1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in plan view taken on lines 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on lines 4--4 of Fig. V2 showing the oscillating control devices for the feed.

Fig. 4a is a detail on lines 4a4a of Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a section on lines 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the release control devices for the feed.

Figs. 6 and 7 are details showing different operatingpositions of parts shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a detail showing the punch Voperating magnet and related contact devices.

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the essential circuit connections ofthe machine.

The punching mechanism is of the type wherein a row of punches l0 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided, past which a record card H is moved step by s tep. This card is provided with columns of punching positions arranged in rows designated 12, ll, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '7, 8 and .9 inline with corresponding punches IU. The `card -l I ,is placed on a table I2 (Figs. 1 and 4) `where it is guided by rails i3 against .lateral displacement. At its left and rightends, thecard is -engagedby ngers I4 and lE-respectively. Thesengersare secured to a carriage comprising a bar I6 to -which are fastenedguide blocks I1 and 1.8 (Figs. 2 and 4) slotted to slide on astationary .guide :rail i9.

Through .the mechanism to be described, .the carriage is moved along `rail `ISB to present the card columns tothe row of punches l0. Before describing this mechanism, `a brief description will be given oi the punching devices which "are well known, `being similar to those shown in the patent of F. L. Lee et al. No. 1,772,186. Resting on the top of each punch |10 isithe left end of an interposer 20 (Fig. 2i) lwhich is horizontally slidable by a bell crank connection `2|, through a key 22. When key 22 `is depressed, interposer 20 slides to the left against the tension of spring 23, and its left end of greatest-height moves under a bar 24 on a plate 25fpivoted at26. Atthe same time, the side of anotch 2l engages and-rocks a plate 28 about pivot 29. A hooked link 30 (Fig. 8) engaging the plate is thereby drawn tothe left to `close a pairof contacts 3l. These contacts (Fig. 9) close a `circuit between current lines 32, 33 to energize punch magnet 34 (Fig. 8), and as `a result armature 351is operated to rock bellcrank t5 through link! and `through link 3B' plate 25 `is rocked 4counterclockwise about its pivot126 to force bar 24 `down against the advanced interposer 20 and push the related punch through the card l l against the punch restoring spring 39. `When plate 25 is rocked, an extension 4I) thereon (Fig. 8) will tilt link 3U out of hooked engagement with plate 28 so that the contacts 3i spring open under their own tension to break the punch magneticircuit and the parts restore to their initial positions.

As shown in the patent referred to, the keys 22 may also be `magnetically operated, but for purposes of simplicity in the present application only the manual operating mechanism is shown.

Carriage block I1 has integral therewith six depending pins or teeth 42 (Figs. 2 and 3) normally engaged in rack `teeth 43 of a plate .44 which thus substantially positively hold the carriage in position. Plate 44 has secured thereto spaced blocks 45 Apivoted on a rod 46, the left end of which has a lever 41 `secured thereto (Fig. 4) with a depending arm 48 engaged by a latch 49. lThe latch isfree .on a rod 50 about which there is `coiled a spring `52 whoseiends engage a pin 5I in latch 49 andalsoa `pin `E53 in a lever V54 also free on .rod 5t) (see Fig. 4a). The `lower end of spring .52 `normally urges latch .49 into engagement with arm 48 by bearing upwardly against pin 5|. Lever 54 .is `also provided with a wire spring 55 which holds `the lever 54 and `its `pin 53 in the position shown in Fig. 4. The lever 54 has link connection 5.5 with an arm 51 integral with armature `58 of amagnet 59.

When this magnet is energized, lever 54 is rocked counterclockwise and its pin 53 will push the lower end of spring 52 away from pin 5| of latch 49,'so that the upper end of spring 53 now bears down on pin 5| and tends to turn latch 49. However, this tension is not suiiicient to rock the latch because arm 48 is biased counterclockwise with considerable force, creating to prevent movement of the latch by spring 52. This force is applied by a coil spring 69 (Fig. 2) which has one end anchored to the rod 46 and the other to a post '6| in base plate 62.

In Figs. 3 and 4 lever 41 is shown as riding the periphery of a pin 63 mounted eccentrically on a shaft 64. This shaft has a bevel gear 65 at its opposite end driven by a bevel gear 66 secured to a shaft 61 to which there is secured a pulley68 driven by belt and pulleyV connection 69 from a constantly `running motor 19.

The action is such that during each revolution of shaft 64 eccentric pin 63 engages lever 41 and rocks it slightlx7 to release the tension against latch 49. If at the time of engagement lever 54 is in rocked position, with spring 52 biasing latch 49 counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 4 the llatch will rock out of engagement with arm 48, so that the arm and lever 41 with their shaft 46 Will follow eccentric pin 63 under the inuence of coil spring 60. Such rocking of shaft 46 will carry plate 44 with it to the positions shown in Figs. 6 and '1 to disengage rack teeth 43 from carriage pins 42.

While the shaft 46 is rocked, lever 54 is returned toits initial position Where latch 49 will reengage arm 48. Ifar'm 54 is maintained in its rocked position, as will be explained, shaft 46 will be repeatedly oscillated, once for each revolution of shaft 64.

Referring now to Fig. 3,'shaft 46 has freely .pivoted thereon spacedV blocks 1| in each of whichthere is a screw 12 riding in a slot 13 of a'plate'14 (see Fig. 2).' The plate thus serves to connect the blocks 1| for unitary rotary movetions toward one another as viewed in Fig. 3'-

and adjustable screws 16 threaded in plate 14 and abuttingblocks 1| serve to limit the space between the two plates.

The upper edge of plate 14 is provided with rack teeth 11 having the same pitch as teeth 43 -iny Vplate 44. When shaft 46 is rocked as explained, the plate 14 Valso rocks while maintaining its spaced relationship with plate 44. The extent of rocking is such that as teeth 43 release carriage pins 42, teeth 11 move into ensagement with the pins with the result that the pins are alternately engaged by the twoV opposed sets of rack teeth. Also, it is to be noted that Y each set of rack teeth engagesthe pins before the other set has completely released them so that the pins are under control of one or the other. setY of rack teeth at all times. Fig. 1 shows the rockedposition of the parts wherein the pins 42 are in engagement with rack teeth 11 and out of engagement with rack teeth 43.

While the pins 42 are engaged in rack teeth 11,v the plate 14 is shifted toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2 carrying the carriage pins 42 Y therewith, and while in such left hand position the plates arerocked Vback to the positionof Fig. 5. As a result, the pins 42 are reengaged by rack teeth 43 with a one tooth ci?A Sie@ @de enough frictional resistance at the latching point i Vance. This step corresponds to the card column spacingso that the card is thereby advanced one step to present the next column to the row of punches I6. To reciprocate plate 14, its right hand end (Fig. 2) is slotted at 89 to embrace an eccentric pin 8| on shaft 61, which eccentric pin is so positioned with respect to eccentric pin 63 (Fig. 4) that the proper timing is provided to shift plate 14 to the left while it is engaging pins 42 and to shift it back to the right after it has released the pins. To take up any slight play between slot 86 and eccentric pin 8| there is provided a spring 82' (Fig. 3), which extends between a block 45 and an angle 83 on plate 14 to constantly urge the plate toward the right.

The manner in which the stepping is controlled by and synchronized with thepunching operation will now be explained. Punch bell V down'the operation of the relay. This dash pot fromV the card is so adjusted that contactsa. of the relay close just before the contacts 84 reopen, at which time the punches i9 will have been retracted On rod 46 (Fig. 9) is secured an arm 81 which opens a pair of contacts S8, when the rod is rocked. A latch |29 is arranged to engage and hold the contacts 33 open but is normally prevented from doing so by magnet w |2| which is energized through the circuit from line 32, contacts 85h and magnet Vl2! to line 33.

When contacts 85a close, there will be a circuit fromY line 32?',V contacts 85a, and contacts 88 to spacemagnet 59 and'line 33. As a result, arm 54 Y (Fig. 4) is operated and latch 49 therewith to release lever 41, so that the stepping racks may oscillate to advance the carriage. The incidental opening of contacts 85h has deenergized magnet |2| so that, when rod 46 is rocked', contacts 88 open andare engaged by latch |29 so that no repeat operations of the space magnet 59 can occur.

. During the'advance, contacts 84 of the punch magnet fully open, deenergizing relay 85 whose contacts V85a open and contacts 85o close toreenergize magnet I2! and release contacts 88. This operation occurs for each punch key operationV to Ystep the carriage as an incident to each punching operation.

When it isv desired to effect a Vstep of advance Y Y without punching, a key 89 (Fig. 9) is depressed to momentarily close contacts 99, to complete a circuit from line 32, contacts 99, contacts 88 and space magnet 59 to line 33. As-a result, the car- A riage is stepped ahead one tooth or card column.

It will be apparent that if key 89 is held depressed, magnet 59 will be repeatedly energized and thus a Vrapid step-by-step advance of the carriage may be effected. An audible click acy, companies each-step of advance occasioned by the engagement of reciprocating teeth 11 with pins 42, so thatif, for example, it Yis desired to step the carriage ten columns, key $9 is held unltil ten clicks have occurred and then released before another is heard.

In Fig. 9 the motor 16 is conventionally represented asa shunt woundV reversingV motor with a.V

will take place on the card from left to right.

With the motor running `in reverse direction, the carriage is initially in its most left hand position and operation of the `space Vmagnet Vwill cause the carriage to advance step by step from left to right. This is so because-now the reciprocating stroke of plate 'iii toward the right occurs While the shaft i6 is rocked and the stroke of plate 'M toward the left occurs while the plate is out of engagement with pins 42. In other words, the combinational action of rocking rod 94.6 and reciprocating plate 74 is now `occurring in reverse order, and the same positive drive will step the carriage backward.

It is thus seen that depending upon the direction of drive obtained by simple reversing switch means, the operator may place a `card inthe carriage and punch either from left to right orfrom right to left.

Provision is made for releasing the carriage from the feed mechanism so the carriage may be directly moved manually to either .extreme position for insertion or removal of cards. Referring to Fig. 5, the plate IM has a depending arm Sii integral therewith and extending through an opening in base plate 62. Beneath arm 95 is a latch 96 pivoted on a rod 9T. Also pivoted on rod 97 is a lever 98 connected by a link 9S to an arm liiii integral with the armature of release imaginet AIiil. 'Iihe right arm of lever Q3 carries a pin |52 and latch 96 carries a pin H33. l spring |24 coiled around rod 91 engages pins It? and |93 to hold latch Se normally in the position shown in Fig. 5. Insuch position, the latch is out of the pathof the end of arm 95 as the latter rocks between the positions of Figs. 5 and 7.

Energization of release `magnet |l| will rock lever `98 against its restoring spring |95 and through spring |64 will urge latch '9 5 in a counterclockwise direction. If shaft 46 is now rocked to tilt plates M, le to the pesitionof Fig. 7, latch 9G will snap behind arm 95 and lock plate 44 in its rocked position so that plate ill returns `alone to its initial position, .leaving the parts in therelationship shown in Fig. 6, where the carriage pins 42 are not engaged `by either .rack and accordingly the carriage may be shifted as by nger piece it (Fig. 4) in either direction and to any extent.

In Fig. 9 the release operation is initiated by a key Ili'l, which upon depression first closes contacts |98 to energize released magnet |i| and immediately thereafter closes contacts |09 to energize the space magnet 59 through the circuit from line contacts |59, contacts 88 and magnet 59 to line 33. The key depression is momentary to bring about only one oscillation of the rack plates and after the plate 44 is latched it will remain so, due to the frictional engagement between arm Q5 and latch 9B.

To rock plate IM back to its effective position., it is necessary to energize space magnet 59 through key 89 which will result in easing the pressure of arm S5 against latch Sit so that the light spring iilli may then rock the latch back to its position of Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1 a spring lli] may be removably connected between a pin on the card carriage and a fixed post ||2. Then, when the release key |91 is operated, the carriage will be automatically drawn back to its right hand position. This location of spring lli) is advantageous where punching is effected only in columns of the left hand section of the card, in which case the card `travels only a short distance back to its starting position for removal.

By unhooking spring ||0 .from post ||2 and connecting it 'between pin `|'|.I anda second xed post ||,3, the carriage will automatically shift to the left upon operation of the `release key |01. This npositionof spring ID isadvantageous where punching takes place in columns extending across most of the card area, so that the card upon release shifts the shorter distance `to its extreme left hand position .for removal.

`The selectivity of the direction of step-bystep feeding through themotor reversing switch 92 andthe direction of the release movement enables the operator to establish the .conditions ofoperation best suited for the particular punching arrangement being effected.

While there have .been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied VVto a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form Yand details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made .by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit `of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the Vfollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. 'In a record card punching machine, ,a row of punches, an elongated card carriage movable transversely to said row of punches, actuating means for the punches, la `pin in said carriage, a locking member engageable with said pin to hold the carriage positively in punching position, a feeding member, means `topositively actuate Athe feeding member in either direction of movement of the carriage, said feeding member being positively engageable Ywith the pin but normally out of engagement therewith, means controlled by `said punch actuating Vmeans and operable as an incident to the operation thereof for disengaging said locking member .from .the pin and concurrently engaging the feeding member therewith at one extremity of the stroke of said feeding member, said vlast named means causing reengagement of the .locking .member with the pin and .disengagement of the feeding member therefrom at the other .extremity of the stroke of 4,the feeding .member and settable means for positioning said carriage relative to said punches, whereby the carriage will be shifted in either direction a distance determined by the stroke of the feeding member and locked in shifted position.

2. In a record card punching machine, a row of punches, a card carriage movable transversely to said row of punches, card holding means on said carriage, actuating means for the punches, a locking member normally engaging said carriage to hold it positively in punching position against displacement in either direction, a feeding member, means for reciprocating said feeding member in the direction of movement of the carriage, said feeding member being engageable with the carriage but normally out of' engagement therewith, means controlled by said punch actuating means and operable as an incident to the operation thereof for disengaging said locking member from the carriage and concurrently engaging the feeding member therewith at one extremity of the stroke of said feeding member, said last named means causing reengagement of the locking member with the carriage and disengagement of the feeding member therefrom.

Vat the other extremity of the stroke of the feeding member and settable means for selecting the direction of shift of said carriage, whereby the carriage will be shifted a distance determined by the stroke of the feeding member and locked in shifted position.

3. In a record card punching machine, a row of punches, an elongated card carriage movable transversely to said row of punches, card holding means on said carriage, actuating means for the punches, a feeding member, means for positively reciprocating said feeding member in either direction of movement of the carriage, said feeding member being engageable with the carriage to positively actuate the same but normally out of engagement therewith, means controlled by said punch actuating means and operable as an incident to the operation thereof for positively engaging said feeding member with Vthe carriage at one extremity of the stroke of said feeding member, said last Ynamed means causing disengagement of the feeding member at the other extremity of vits stroke, whereby the carriage will be positively shifted a distance determined by the stroke of the feeding-member.

4. In a record card punching machine, a row of punches, a card carriage slidable transversely to said row of punches, actuating means for the punches, a feeding member, means for reciprocating said feeding member in either direction I movement of the carriage, said feeding member being engageable with the carriage but normally out of engagement therewith, means controlled by said punch actuating means and operable as an incident to the operation thereof for engaging said feeding member with the carriage at one extremity of the stroke of said feeding member, said last named means causing disengagement of the feeding member at the other extremity of its stroke and settable means for selecting the extremity of the stroke at which engagement is to occur whereby the carriage will be selectively shifted in either direction a distance determined by the stroke of the feeding member.

5. In a machine of the class described, a recording element, a record supporting carriage slidable transversely to said recording element, actuating means for the recording element, a feeding member, means for reciprocating said feeding member in the direction of movemen of the carriage in either direction, said feeding member being engageable with the carriage but normally out of engagement therewith, means controlled by said actuating means and operable as an incident to the operation thereof for engaging said feeding member with the carriage at one extremity of the stroke of said feeding member, said last named means causing disengagement of the feeding member at the other extremity of its stroke and settable means for selecting the extremity of the stroke .at'which engagement is to occur whereby the carriage will be shifted in either direction a distance determined by the stroke of the feeding member.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5, in which a locking member is provided to lock the carriage in position, said actuating means being effective to disable the locking member prior to the movement of the carriage.

'7. In a machine of the class described, a row of punches, a card carriage selectively movable in either direction transversely to said row -of punches, means normally effective to lock the carriage against movement, power means for moving the carriage in either direction, each operation thereof advancing the carriage one step, key controlled means for causing a selected punch to penetrate'the card and then withdraw therefrom, means operative upon withdrawal of the punch for concurrently disabling said locking means and rendering the power means effective to advance the card in either direction.

HANS P. LUHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number l Name Date 2,114,447 Keefe Apr. 19, 1938 2,183,820 Nelson Dec. 19, 1939 2,394,604 Ford Feb. 12, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country YDate 294,527 Great Britain Dec. 20, 1928 

